Last for shoes and standard for supporting same



'N'u. 65,989. Patented Dec. 13,1898. F. J. HRUZA. LAST FUR SHOESANDSTANDARD FUR SUPPORTING SAME.

(Application filed Jan. 9, 1897.) v

3 Sheets-Shaw.

(No Model.)

H n 1 W H u H I I 7 4. ll-ll V Inventor.

Witnesses.

Til: nomus PETERS 00.. PNOTO-UTNO" WASHINGTON. u. c.

' No. 6l5,989. A Patented-Dec. l3. I898.

r, HRUZA. LAST FDR SHDES AND STANDARD FDR SUPPORTING SAME.

' (Application filed Jan. 9, 1897.)

(No Model. 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Witriesses. Inventor m; 6l5,989. Paten td Dec. I3, 1398.

F. J. HBUZA. LAST FOB SHOES AND STANDARD FUR SUPPORTING SAME.

(Application filed. Jan. 9, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

w/ TNESSES o'ro-uruou wunmaron. u. c.

2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J. HRUZA, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

LAST FOR SHOES AND STANDARD FOR SUPFORTING SAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent in). 615,999, datedDecember is, 1898. Application filed January 9,1897. Serial No. 618,525.(No model.)

' To (all whom it Duty concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK J. HRUZA, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of the city of Cincinnati, in thecounty of Hamilton and Stateof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lasts forShoes and Standards for Supporting the Same, of which the following is aspecification.

Under the head of shoes I include boots, slippers, and all analogousarticles for covering the feet and in the manufacture or repair ofwhich, as well as in the adaptation of the same to the foot of thewearer, lasts are employed.

One feature of my invention relates to such a novel construction ofthelast as enables it to be employed successively or simultaneously as atoe-stretcher and a length-stretcher-viz., as a toe-stretcher forbroadening the shoe at and in the vicinity of the toes, and as alengthstretcher for increasing the length of the shoe from toe to heel.

Another feature of my invention consists in such a construction as thatthe said last can be employed as an instep-stretcherviz., for stretchingthe shoe in height at and in the vicinity of the instep.

Another feature of m yinvention consists in a construction of the lastas shall enable one last to be used in operating upon shoes of differentlengths.

Other features of my invention appertaining to the last will be evidentfrom the following description and claims.

bottom or foundation piece of the last.

Still another feature relates to a construction of standard adapted toreceive the lasts of my invention.

Other advantages resulting from the use of the several features of myinvention ,conjointly or otherwise will be hereinafter ap parent.

In the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, andin which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts,Figure 1, Sheet 1, representsa side elevation of a last constructedaccording to my invention and equipped as a toe and length stretcher.Fig. 2 represents in perspective the top, front, and one side of theThis piece may in common parlance be denominated the last. a diminishedscale, of the inner side of one of the halves of a toe-stretcher. Fig.4. is a View of the bottom of the rear portion of either of thetoe-stretcher shown in Fig. 3 or the toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 1 andon the same scale as the latter. Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of thedevice employed to separate the halves of the toe-stretcher, a portionof the operating-rod being omitted as unnec essary for the understandingof the device. Fig. 6 isa front elevation of the heel-stretcher on anenlarged scale. Fig. 7 is a top View of the latter on the same scale asthatof Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the last equipped with aninstep-stretcher in operative position. On Sheet 2 Fig. 9 is asideelevation of one-half of a toe-stretcher adapted to be used as such forgiven sizes of shoes and also to be used as the foundation fortoestretchers for other sizes of shoes, as hereinafter specified. Fig.10 is a bottom view of the toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is anelevation of the inside of the toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 12 isan elevation of the toe-stretcher of Fig. 9, adapted to be used for asize of shoe larger than that for which the stretcher of Fig. 9 is used.Fig. 13 is an elevation of Fig. 9, adapted to be used for yet largersizes of shoes. Fig. 14 is a view in perspective of the patch on thetoe-stretcher of Fig. 9. Fig. 15 is a View in perspective of the patchon the toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 16 is a top view, on adiminished scale, of one of the lasts and'which is adapted to receive.the toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 9. i Fig. 17 is a top view, on a likescale, of a last adapted to receive the toe-stretcher shown in Fig. 12.Fig. 18 is a top view, on alike scale, of a last adapted to receive thetoe-stretcher shown in Fig.13. Fig. 19 is a bottom view of rear part oftoe-stretcher shown in Fig. 13. 'On Sheet 3 Fig. 20 is a side elevationof the last shown in Fig. 15 and of an instep-stretcher in positionthereon. Fig. 21 is a side elevation of the standard for upholding lastsand of one of my lasts in position thereon. Fig. 22 represents avertical central section of the head of the standard, the section beingfrom left to right of the standard as it stands represented in Fig. 20,that side of the section be- Fig. 3 is an elevation, on

ing shown which in Fig. 20 would face the spectator if that side of thestandard this side of the section-line-t'. e., nearest thespectator-Were removed. Fig. 23 is a top view of the standard.

I will now proceed to particularly describe my invention.

A indicates the foundation-piece or last. This last has a bottom plate AFrom this plate rises a standard B. The latter is located near the rearportion of the plate A so as to be in the area of the hole of the shoewherein the ankle of the wearer of the shoe enters. This standard hasvertical side grooves B B On the plate A and near the bottom of thestandard B are the pivot-lugs O C. One of these lugs is on each side ofthe said standard, substantially as shown in Figs. 2 and 15.Retaining-lugs D are present in the immediate neighborhood of saidpivots, one lug for a pivot. A space D is present below the lug D andabove plate A On the inner side of each half-piece E of thetoe-stretcher is located a guideway E inclined from the upper-edge ofthe rear part of the toe-stretcher downwardly and forwardly. Technicallyspeaking, the toe-stretcher includes all the parts that cooperate instretching the toe of the shoe; but for the sake of conciseness eachhalf-piece E will be hereinafter designated as a toe-stretcher.

The lower rear part of each toe-stretcher E has a thicker lug Econtaining a vertical aperture E adapted to receive the pivot-bolt O onits side of the standard. In proximity to this lug is a lug E extendinginwardly from the piece E. In practice each stretcher E is adjusted toplace by locating the adjacent pivot O in recess E and then swinging thetoe part of the stretcher E forward until it comes over its adjacentpart of the last and its inner upper edge is substantially in alinementwith the median vertical longitudinal plan of the last. The lug E willthus have been brought under the lug D, and the conjunction of theselugs will prevent the rear portions of the toe-stretchers E E fromrising.

F indicates a yoke or saddle having the arms F F and bridge-piece FThese arms are shaped on the inner side so as respectively to fit theadjacent groove B of standard B. As the grooves B are in the presentillustrative instance grooved, so will the inner sides of the arms F beconvexly curved. In the bridge F is a hole F screw-threaded. A rod Gscrew-threaded is screwed through the hole F One end of this rod carriesa suitable handle G and the other end G carries the operating separatoror wedge H. The connection between the wedge Hand the rod G is such thatthe rod can readily rotate without turning the wedge. A preferredconnection between the rod and the wedge is adj ustable and is accomplished by leaving a slot H in the rear end of the wedge, this slotextending from the surface of the wedge to the hole wherein the rod isreceived, the slot being narrower than the hole and receiving a poitionof the rod next behind the front end- 1'. e. enlarged headthereof,substantially as shown.

In practice, the toe-stretchers E E being in position, the last, withthem in place, is introduced into and passed within the shoe. The wedgeis then introduced into the guideways E of the pieces E, the respectivesides H of the wedge each entering its adjacent guideway E The bridge Fis now or hitherto has been caused to engage the standard B, the arms Frespectively entering adjacent grooves. The rod G is now turned(screwed) forward, and the wedge is thus advanced toward the toe of theshoe, thereby separating the toe-stretchers E E and stretching the toeof the shoe in proportion to the distance it is advanced. The withdrawalof the parts of the last and its said devices from the shoe will be inan order the reverse of that followed when they were introduced therein.

At the rear of the last are guideways J, each consisting of a rib J anda recess J one guideway on each side of the last. A separableheel-stretcher K has a recess K whose sides each have a recess K and arib or flange K The heel-stretcher may be run onto the guideways, andwhen thus located in conjunction with them the guideways extend into therecess K and on each side a rib J 2 enters the adjacent recess K andrecess J" receives a rib K The heel-stretcher K has an inner inclinedface K extending from the upper rear edge downward and forward,substantially as shown.

A support L is fixed to the last and inclines rearwardly and has ascrew-threaded hole L therethrough, and the latter engages the screw ofthe rod M, passed through said hole L and bearing at one end against theinner rear portion K of the length-stretcher K and provided at its otherend with a handle M By advancing the rod M the heel-stretcher isadvanced against the heel of the shoe previously placed upon the last,and the shoe is lengthened proportionately to the advancement of therod. Retraction of the rod M allows the heel-stretcher to be likewiseretraeted.

The heel-stretcheris capable of being used simultaneously with thetoe-stretcher, and in order that the two operating-rods G and M may notinterfere one of them must dodge the other. There are various ways ofenabling them to dodge. A very convenient and novel mode consists inhaving the rod M incline to one side of rod G and in such event causingthe hole for rod M in support L to be likewise inclined. The inner sideof the heel-stretcher where the rod will impingeis beveled out at K, thebetter to enable the rod M to work against the heel-stretcher and pushit rearward. In Fig. l the toe and length stretchers are both in properposition on the last. When desired, the support L may be separable fromthe plate A or standard 13 and will then be secured to the last by ascrew L (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8) or otherwise, as desired.

The instep-stretcher N (see Fig. 8) consists of a plate formed ingeneral like the upper portion of the foot in front of the ankle andpreferably provided with a device for keeping it in alinement with plateA at the toe. A preferred description of such device consists of theopening N in the plate A and detent N in the instep-stretcher N. Therear end of the instep-stretcher N has a screwthreaded opening N (shownin dotted lines in Fig. 8,) and through this is screwed a rod P,provided atits upper end with a suitable han dle. (Not shown becausesut'ficien tly understood.) The lower end of this rod P rests in arecess or step B in the top of standard B. The shoe and instep-stretcherhaving been screwed into the stretcher aforesaid, further rotation ofthe rod in the same direction elevates the rear end of theinstep-stretcher and stretches the instep of the shoe. When this processof stretching has been continued until the desired instep has beenstretched as much as desired, the screw-rod is removed, and the last,with instep-stretcher N, is removed from the shoe. Rib W on the upperfore part of plate A and rib X on the under part of the rear part ofplate A are preferably present to impart strength to the same and at thesame time to also economize metal.

In connection with the foregoing I have invented a novel and usefulmeans whereby one size of toe-stretchers can be used with differentsizes of lasts, and thusbe utilized in stretching shoes of varioussizes. For instance, the toe-stretcher E ismade of a size for thesmaller sizes of shoes. It will then be used on the last shown in Fig.15. To adapt it for use with larger sizes of shoes, I provide metalpatches R, (see Figs. 14 and 15,) and the size of these patches willvary with the size of the shoe to be stretched. As is evident from aninspection of the drawings, the shape of the patch conforms to the shapeof the shoe at and in the location where the patch is used. Thus thepatch added to the toe-stretcher E of Fig. 9 increased the size of thelatter sufficiently to do effective work in correctly stretching alarger shoe. A patch, such as shown in Fig. 14, applied to thetoe-stretcher E, makes the stretcher shown in Fig. 12. The patchillustrated in Fig. 15, combined with the stretcher E, results in thestretcher seen in Fig. 13. As the patch of Fig. 13 is larger than thatof Fig. 14:, the stretcher of Fig. 13 is adapted to stretch a largersize of shoe than is the stretcher of Fig. 12. Other patches ofsuccessively larger size respectively added to a standard or, foundationtoe-stretcher, as E, will enable larger sizes of shoes to be stretched.Where a given size of stretcher E is used for the foundation of all thepatches of various sizes, then the inner side of each patch willproperly conform in shape to the exthem.

terior surface of that portion of the stretcher E to which the patch isapplied. The preferred means for attaching the patch to the stretcher isthe screw S, passing through a hole S in the patch and engaging ascrewthreaded hole S in the stretcher. The convenience and economy ofsuch a toe-stretcher, possessing adaptability for and to various sizesof shoes, are quite apparent without explanation.

In connection with the lasts of my invention of the forms herein shownand described I have invented and made one preferred form of standardfor receiving and supporting preventing the shank from tipping over andfor attaching it to a table, bench, &c., I pro vide it with a foot Thaving holes T through which screws may be passed to more firmly secureit to the base upon which it stands; but the foot may be otherwiseformed or altogether omitted. In the latter case the shank may be setinto a bench, table, or other suitable base. The upper end of the shankcarries the holder or head V, having a central slot V extending throughthe head and two enlargements V and V at different relativeinclinations. Enlargement V extends upward in a substantially verticaldirection and the axis of the enlargement V is at an angle of nearlyninety degrees from the vertical axis of the standard. Eitherenlargement takes in the standard B of the last, and the slot V receivesthose extensions or projections of the last which are immediately infront of or behind the standard B. WVhen the last is in the verticalenlargement V the bottom of the last will be substantially horizontal,as shown in solid lines in Fig. 20. When the last is located in theinclined enlargement V the bottom ofthe last will be inclinedsubstantially as shown by dotted lines. In the lasts shown in Figs.15,16, and 17 therear guides and piece L are omitted. These lasts maythus be used,huteach of them may be provided with length-stretchingdevices, and in using lasts in connection with toe-stretchers, such asare shown in Figs. 9, 12, and 13, itis not my purpose to confine such tolasts without end stretchers.

It will be understood that in the manufacture of the various parts of myinvention I -do not confine myself to the use of metal, but

shall use any suitable material.

It is understood that the instep-stretcher may be used in connectionwith either of the three lasts shown in Figs. 16, 17, and18.

It is also to be understood that the lasts of toe,length,and instepstretchers maybe used, as desired,in the operations of soling andheeling. In such connections they will be found very useful.

What I claim as new and of'my invention, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is"- 1. A shoe-stretcher having a standard provided with groovesand toe-stretchers,and the bridge F having arms engaging said grooves,

This standard has a shank T. Forand a separator advanced to separate thestretchers by using said bridge as an abutment, substantially as and forthe purposes specified.

2. In a shoe-stretcher, a standard B having grooves, and toe-stretchershinged or pivoted at or near their rear ends, and the bridge F havingarms engaging in said grooves, and a toe-stretcher separator advanced byusing said bridge as an abutment, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

3. In a shoe-stretcher, a standard having vertical grooves, and a bridgehaving arms engagingin said grooves, and the toe-stretchers pivoted atrear, and rod screwing through the bridge, and a toe-separator on theforward end thereof, the toe-stretchers being provided with guides forgiving direction to the sepator, substantially as and for the purposesspecified.

4. In a shoe-stretcher, toe-stretchers capable of separation, and havingside guides E and the separator H wedge-shaped and adjustable to and insaid guides, and rod G connected thereto, and a bridge and a standardfor holding the latter, the standard rising from the base of the last,independent of the side stretchers and the bridge adjustably embracingthe standard and removable with rod G, the rod screwed through thebridge, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In a shoe-stretcher, the narrow vertical standard toe-stretchersadapted to move to and from each other at the toe, and having devicesfor hinging them at their rear portions to the last, and each having adevice for interlocking at their rear end with the last at the base ofthe standard, to the foundation plate-piece to prevent their rear endsbeing uplifted as they are operated on by the separator, substantiallyas and for the purposes specified.

6. In ashoe-stretcher, toe-stretchers adapted to move to and from eachother at the toe, and having devices for hinging them at their rearportions to the last, and each having a lug E arranged to look below aprojection of the last, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. In a shoe-stretcher, the toe-stretchers adapted to be separated atthe toe, and having the pivotal opening in their rear portion, and a logE at said portion, and a projection D of the last for engaging said lugE as the toe stretchers are approximated, substantially as and for thepurposes specified.

8. In a shoestretcher, the combination of the toe-stretchers havingguideways, and lug E and opening E of each stretcher, and the separatorand rod G, bridge F, and arms F thereof, the rod engaging the bridge,and the standard B of the shoe-stretcher frame having grooves 13 and thearms F for engaging said grooves, and lug D and pivot C of the last, formaking engagement with the rear portion of the toe-stretchers,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. In a shoe-stretcher, the horizontal side guides .I, J attached to thebasal frame thereof, and a length-stretcher sliding on these guides andhaving a place for the impingement of the actuating device,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. In a shoe-stretcher, the horizontal side guides J ,J 3 connected tothe basal frame thereof, and a length-stretcher K sliding on theseguides, and a standard L, and rod M, engaging the standard and actuatingthe stretcher, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

11. In a shoe-stretcher, the side guides connected to the basal framethereof, and the length-stretcher, sliding on these guides, and having arecess K, and the standard L on the last and a rod engaging the standardand bearing against the stretcher in the recess of the latter,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

12. In a shoe-stretcher, the combination of a toe-stretching device infront and a rod G for advancing the separator of the stretcher, and a1ength-stretching device and its red M for actuating thelength-stretcher, the rods M and G arranged to dodge one another,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

13. In a shoe-stretcher, the combination of a toe-stretching device, anda standard on a last carrying a bridge or abutment, and a rod G passingthrough said abutment, and operating the separator of the toe-stretcher,and guides at rear of the last, and a heelstretcher adjustable thereonand provided with a recess Kflwidened at K, and a standard K, and a rodM engaging the standard, and Working thereon, the opening in standard Mbeing inclined to one side, and the rod M dodging the rod G,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

1 1. In a shoe-stretcher, a sliding lengthstretcher located at the heel,guides therefor attached to the last, standard as L removable, and rod Mengaging the standard and directed diagonally downward toward the rearportion of the heel and acting on the lengthstretcher, substantially asand for the purposes specified.

15. In a shoe-stretcher, the combination of the indented standard,instep-stretcher, rod P thereof, turning against the standard, and thestandard L, guides J J length-stretcher K, and rod M for engaging thestandard L and moving the length-stretcher, substantially as and for thepurposes specified.

FRANK J. IIRUZA.

In presence of- A. S. LUDLow,

K. SMITH.

IOC

IIC

